In anticipation of this event, we had the chance to connect with the remarkable creators featured in this year’s lineup to find out more about their work further.
JASKA: Jenni Armstrong
Jenni Armstrong is the sole creative designer behind the JASKA label. Over the years JASKA has evolved and today it is a unique accessories brand where Jenni turns her original artwork into what she calls ‘functional art pieces’.
With your background in painting and your love for bags, what motivates and inspires you to create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces for your customers?
Painting for me is my happy place. I can get lost in a piece for hours when creating. Inspiration for me can come from many and very diverse sources. It could be another piece of art I see, a fabric I spot while out and about. I love flipping through magazines, ideas can come to me while doing this. Sometimes it can be just a colour combination I see. Nature though is probably my greatest form of inspiration! From beaches to mountains and everything in between.
Are there particular motifs or features that customers can often find in your hand-painted bags that make them distinctly JASKA?
I guess the one thing I continually go back to in my artwork is my “by sight, repeat patterns”. Personally, I find computer generated repeat patterns too perfect for my products. One of the main reasons I started using my own artwork as opposed to computer printed artwork. It is also what makes each piece a one-of-a-kind. I don’t use a ruler or measure anything. I produce a repeat pattern going by sight only. By the time I get to the end I am filling in spaces with unique strokes for that area.
Where can people see and purchase your bags, and what’s next – can you share any future projects?
Being an Adelaide girl, I am so looking forward to returning for Bowerbird in November and visiting lifelong friends.
Bowerbird
17 – 19 November 2023
Adelaide Showground, Wayville
